As previously announced by the Vatican, Pope Francis was discharged on Sunday, March 23, in the morning after spending 38 days in Gemelli Hospital due to a respiratory infection. This marked his first public appearance following his medical care and observation.

Pope Francis made his first public appearance in more than five weeks on Sunday, waving to people and giving a thumbs up from a balcony of the hospital where he has been battling double pneumonia ahead of his discharge.